Boy on bike hit by car — His positive attitude inspires Linden cops

LINDEN — A 10-year-old boy who was struck by a car while riding his bicycle in May recently got a heap of good news.

First, doctors cleared him to ride a bicycle again.

Then, the city's Police Department presented him with a new ride and helmet.

Jeremiah Arellano was struck by a car on May 15. The impact sent him flying into a parked car. He was hospitalized with a broken pelvic bone and severe scrapes from the pavement, but escaped with no head injury.

The department decided to give Jeremiah a new bike after being moved by his positive attitude.

"It was a pretty serious injury for a kid to deal with, but Jeremiah kept smiling and had such a positive attitude throughout his recovery," Lt. Joe Cacioppo.  "Knowing that he wanted to ride a bicycle again soon, I thought we may be able to do something to help."

The gift was made possible by Walmart of Linden, which is a sponsor of the department's Team Linden cycling team in the Police Unity Tour.

The bicycle and helmet were presented at the department's Community Night Out event.

"This event is about the great things we can accomplish working together as a community, and we couldn't think of any better setting to do this for Jeremiah," Caccioppo said.